7-11 stores raided for human trafficking

Police have raided multiple 7-11 locations from Virginia to New York in a crackdown on human trafficking that allegedly has franchise owners smuggling people in from Pakistan to work in stores.

NBC NY says according to investigators, some owners of the raided franchises allegedly helped traffic in workers from Pakistan to work in their stores. Those workers were then allegedly forced to live in housing provided by the franchise owners, authorities said.

Five store owners were arrested Monday in the probe and are expected to face identity theft, money laundering and other charges, law enforcement officials said. Some of those being charged are also accused of stealing from 7-Eleven corporate headquarters, authorities said.

More than a dozen workers believed to have been brought to the country illegally were taken into immigration custody, investigators said.

Suffolk County police, federal Homeland Security investigators, IRS and NYPD officers were seen entering several of the store locations across Long Island Monday.

Several 7-Eleven franchises in Virginia were also targeted in the probe.

In a statement, 7-Eleven said the company is aware of the raids and has been cooperating with federal authorities.

I guess the 'surveillance' didn't pick up the calls to Pakistan ahead of time.